MIKE WEST

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Mike West is a notable RIAA Songwriter, Artist, Music Exec, Promoter figure in the Florida hip-hop scene, particularly associated with Fort Lauderdale Born from the late jazz musician Ernest and the late Dorothy J. West raised in Broward County, he emerged from a challenging upbringing, which included frequent trouble as a youth, leading his mother to send him to live with relatives in South Central Los Angeles at age 15. This move exposed him to a different environment, including heavier gang activity, before he returned to Florida during his junior year of high school.

West's music career took off through his connections and experiences in the industry. He became involved with the Ghetto Style DJs and Luke Records, where he worked under Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, eventually heading the promotions department. His time in Miami and subsequent move to Los Angeles brought him into contact with influential artists and labels. He almost paired with Eazy-E at Ruthless Records during the signing of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, though Eazy-E's death shortly after disrupted his stint there. Returning to Florida, West continued to build his reputation through collaborations with major artists like Pitbull, Jason Derulo, 2 Live Crew, Thug Life, and Dogg Pound, earning him a legendary status in the regional hip hop community.

His discography includes popular tracks like "Keep It Going" with Jason Derulo, "Grand Finale" with Pitbull, and "Till The Morning Rise" with Urban Mystic, which topped indie record pool charts for months and streamed over 150k streams through his independent label, Big Fro Music Group, West has distributed his catalog of albums and mixtapes, including the Divide & Conquer mixtape series and the release of his latest EP The Journey.

Beyond his own music, he's focused on mentoring new talent in urban, R&B, and pop genres, leveraging his extensive industry experience.

Mike West is celebrated for blending a West Coast twist with Southern hip-hop, reflecting his bi-coastal influences, and maintaining a cult-like following in the underground scene. His story is one of resilience, growth, and a deep connection to the evolution of Florida rap.